question: is linux right for a laptop?

[cokemaster_nz]

hi,
been considering installing linux as a dualboot system for quite sometime.
Before i take the plunge i wanted to check whether linux will work.
I'm planning on installing Mandrake on my acer travelmate laptop.
I have used linux (winlinux 2000) before - with limited success (drivers) but was impressed with the preformance.
I know where i can find drivers for my modem (winmodem :-( ) but the main question is: does linux support USB eithernet adapters and/or camera's. The reason is that i need to be able to connect to the school network otherwise i have to use a dualboot and use windows (WITHOUT IE) + office for school (due to comp. reasons)
If anyone could help me... that would be great - i'm sick of being worried about the latest security flaws in windows and the problems about privacy.
But many thanks in advance -_-

cokemaster

[Calum]

do set up a dual boot and see how you go in the meantime,
secondly try searching Google using the word 'linux' and the model number of a piece of your hardware that you suspect may not work, you will likely come across some people who have had problems (if indeed there is a problem) and some other people who have a workaround or solution.

Laptops are tricky though, compared with desktop hardware which is nearly all supported, plus i am not sure how linux fares with USB nowadays as i have a version a couple of years old.

Remember that the kernel AND any applications you are using must all support USB for it to work (a problem i had with my USB CDRW).

Further comment anyone?

[cokemaster_nz]

thanks guys,
i'm ordering the cd and i'll see how it goes - even if it doesn't support my network card... it sure beats ms windows + office any day.
As for the winmodem - i'll find a driver searching
i'll probably only use windows for school purposes only now
Thanks once again... for helping me be free of windows

cokemaster

[Calum]

re: school, you may not even need to do that! as i say it's more likely than not that linux will work fine, but it just pays to expect the worst, that's all!

[asdf]

I have Debian on a Dell Inspiron 4000. If you want a REALLY GOOD resource for linux on laptops, go to www.linux-laptop.net. Look for your model - somebody probably already installed Linux on it and wrote a HOWTO.

[psyjax]

Am I seeing this right?

I deleted some duble posts from Billy Gate's in my forums, but it seems you have posted three times as well Calum.

Is that your mistake or is something fishy going on?

[voidmain]

I would suggest getting a PCMCIA network card and modem that is supported by Linux. There are many and many are very inexpensive. Make sure you check the hardware compatibility list for the distro you are going to install.

[Calum]

quote:Originally posted by psyjax:
Am I seeing this right?

I deleted some duble posts from Billy Gate's in my forums, but it seems you have posted three times as well Calum.

Is that your mistake or is something fishy going on?

something funny is going on, not sure if it's at my end or theirs re: my posts, i double posted today too, except i didn't. you're supposed to not be able to with the flood control and everything, i don't know. database problem maybe?
i deleted those posts now.